Since I uploaded the video it has received over 435,000 hits and 4,000 comments. As should have been expected, there was a strong reaction from both the left and right. Many on the right applauded Ermey for "speaking the truth," while my brothers and sisters on the left (this is a progressive blog after all) criticized him for politicizing an event meant to raise money for the USO as he made an appeal for Toys for Tots.

Ermey deserved the criticism he received for his outburst but I believe his apology should be taken at face value and accepted.

Is/should all be forgiven?

No, but he should be afforded the opportunity to redeem himself in the eyes of those he offended. Once someone makes a mistake and gets called on it he can pushback against the criticism, claim he was misquoted or just apologize.

Ermey's actions and statements going forward should dictate our long term impression of him, not this one incident. The jury is still out but it should be noted that he has previously defended Obama against the birthers.

Now that Ermey has acted what will GEICO do? What should they do? Personally, rather than firing Ermey I'd like to see them give D.C. Douglas his job back.

"I recently appeared at a fundraising event designed to collect toys and raise awareness for underprivileged children. While that event succeeded in raising thousands of dollars and hundreds of toys for this cause, I regret that I delivered a monologue that was inappropriately critical of the President. I was trying to be entertaining and simply went too far in this instance. I am mindful that my success as an entertainer relates in part to my experience in the Marine Corps, my devotion to its members, and the deep respect I have for members of all our Armed Forces. My comments should not be seen as reflecting on them or their views. I was just very disappointed in the amount of success that we were having raising toys and money for the underprivileged children this season. The poor economy has greatly hampered our efforts. My comments were misguided, and emotionally based, and for that I am truly sorry."